Pennsylvania State Police Unveil High-Tech Patrol Vehicle Upgrades

New light bars, low-frequency sirens, and other tech features aim to improve safety for troopers and drivers

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Pennsylvania State Police have unveiled a suite of high-tech upgrades to their patrol vehicle fleet, including a new 51-inch tri-color LED light bar with GPS-synchronized flash patterns, a 400-watt siren system with a 'rumbler' feature to alert drivers, and modernized control panels with automated voice commands.

Why it matters

These upgrades are designed to improve safety for both troopers and motorists by increasing the 'emergency warning window' and making it easier for drivers to detect and respond to police vehicles, especially in modern soundproof cars.

The details

The new light bar acts as an additional brake light during hard stops and can transform into an arrow board to direct traffic. It also dims in low-light conditions to reduce glare. The siren system includes a low-frequency 'rumbler' that allows nearby drivers to feel vibrations in addition to hearing the siren, boosting the sound by up to 10 decibels. The modernized control panels feature automated voice commands in English and Spanish for traffic stops and warrant executions.

  • The Pennsylvania State Police showcased the new equipment at a demonstration earlier this month near Harrisburg.
  • The agency expects to phase the upgrades into the entire fleet of Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Durango, and Ford Interceptor Utility models over the next five years as older vehicles are retired.

The players

Lt. Col. George Bivens

Acting state police commissioner.

Capt. George Ritchey

Director of radio and fleet technology for the Pennsylvania State Police.

Capt. Brian Wolfe

Director of transportation for the Pennsylvania State Police.

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What they’re saying

“Motorists now receive more advanced notice which can be crucial during emergency responses.”

— Lt. Col. George Bivens, Acting state police commissioner

“When multiple state police units respond to an incident, their light bars automatically synchronize voice commands and flash patterns, maximizing visibility and scene safety.”

— Lt. Col. George Bivens, Acting state police commissioner

“That rumbler and that extra siren boost really helps people see or hear you coming a lot better.”

— Capt. George Ritchey, Director of radio and fleet technology

What’s next

The agency is also applying a 'tiered approach' to light placement, positioning more lights at lower levels to improve visibility for drivers in smaller, lower-sitting cars. Unmarked vehicles are receiving slimmer, more discreet lighting to maintain a low profile for specialized operations.

The takeaway

These high-tech upgrades to the Pennsylvania State Police fleet demonstrate a commitment to improving safety for both troopers and the public through enhanced visibility, alerting capabilities, and modernized technology, while also aiming to reduce equipment and upfitting costs over the long term.